Chicago - Live by Request
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Movie Reviews of Chicago - Live by Request
Movie Review: Definitve: Live
Summary: 4 Stars
It is just so amazing to know that when so many performers come on stage in the music industry, they always seem to fake it. Nevertheless, when it comes to some performers, they don't fake it at all, and Chicago is truly one of them. For over 35 years, they've made so many songs that absolutely spoke the minds of all kinds of people. It is just amazing to see them on stage, that you have to taste it, and see it for yourself. You can see anywhere they perform, or on video.Chicago: Live By Request, was a live performance the band showcased on stage in 2002, a few days before the first anniversary of 9/11. The band celebrated the triumph of Chicago's Only The Beginning. No matter what the promotion, the band still continued to make it happen. Ironically, Live By Request was the A&E performance show that Chicago performed on. In fact, they were the most requested performers for the show. They performed so many unbelieveable hit songs like Free, You're The Inspiration, and Old Days. The mood was absolutely unbelieveable that night. Ironically, A&E had technical problems when it came up, they actually had to put an extra set of songs after the telecast, to make-up the loss. Although they don't highlight any of the three new tracks from The Box, they highlight a lot of great songs like Beginnings, Saturday In The Park, and Look Away.
I just can't believe that they still've made it happen after all these years. Still, people don't seem to give the the actual credit they deserve. I just hope the band can keep the music coming for many more years to come. Especially, for the first 35 years, they seem to have plenty more energy like that to go. I suggest you get this DVD.
Movie Review: In Search of the Perfect Concert DVD...
Summary: 4 Stars
There are people, I'm sure, that would complain about the temperature of a glass of water given to them in the Sahara Desert! I held off buying this DVD because of two negative reviews here...and I regret waiting so long. This is pristine Chicago, folks. Not studio perfect, of course, but overall very well done. The mix certainly isn't perfect, and there is the occasional strained note from a vocalist ( the median age, after all, is probably fifty five!) ...but isn't that part of the charm of a live performance? If this were a perfect rendering of Chicago's staples, I'd be suspicious that the multi-track tapes had been doctored ( and that goes on all too often on so-called "live" albums ). Someone rather cynically pointed out that the spontaneity was a farce--that the only callers permitted to get through were those requesting numbers the band was prepared to play...well, yeah...twenty eight albums times 8-10 songs per record...said reviewer is almost definitely NOT a musician, or he'd realise how impossible it would be for them to be prepared to render any one of well over a hundred numbers (!) If there's anything annoying about this DVD, it's all the chit-chat between songs ( and hey, that's the format of A & E! ). If you're anything more than a casual Chicago fan, this one's almost sure to elicit a smile.Movie Review: Chicago, or a reasonable facsimile
Summary: 4 Stars
The Chicago band was started over 40 years ago, some 2 generations. So, to buy a recording and expect hi-def DVD recording AND original band members is a bit absurd.
The band, reconstituted several times over the years, is great. The vocals are now handled by no less than 3 lead singers; somehow, the singer chosen for each song seems to be perfect and seems to be like the original. The brass section is a bit rough and surprisingly is not up to the vocal quality level.
If you're a Chicago fan like me and wanted to see a live production on stage of their hits, this is as good a recording as you will find. The brass section is adequate, vocals are surprisingly true to the original, and the only thing lacking is vocal harmony. Though at times they hit that Chicago smooth sound, at other times they sound like what they are, new singers added for their pure vocal ability with no attention to harmony.
Movie Review: Flawed but still great
Summary: 4 Stars
The reviews about the sound quality of this DVD are correct -- the sound is very badly mixed. The brass section is muted. However, it's still a fantastic concert and Chicago proves they can still rock out! Several times, I just sat there in awe, going "Dang these guys are still great!" I still loved hearing the brass section even though the sound was so badly mixed. One major surprise was Bill Champlin. I've enjoyed his voice in the past, and his contributions to the band. I've seen them in concert (it has been several years) and he was fine. But he is horrible in this concert. He sings his lyrics so over-the-top that they are unintelligible half the time. Message to Champlin -- join the band, dude. Message to Chicago -- fire this guy if he can't do justice to Terry Kath's songs. Other than the sound and Champlin's strangeness, this DVD is worth getting.Movie Review: Champlin is the best
Summary: 4 Stars
For us Australians who up until February 2004 had been deprived of seeing Chicago live for 25 years this dvd is a ripper.Not as good sound wise as the Soundstage concert but hey it does have 'Old Days on it and that has to be a plus.
Oh and by the way Bill Champlin is just a breath of fresh air every song he sings he adds a new nuance too. I defy anyone to say his versions of "Make Me Smile' and Free' are inferior to what has gone before.How about listening without prejudice for a change people.I also love the way all the guys seem to be having a great time and after what 37 odd years still give the fans what they want.Buy this and the 'Soundstage concert'DVD and as 'Letterman' would say 'That's all you need right there'